The Need for Cleansing

As we read and consider the moment known in Scripture as the Cleansing of the Temple, it makes us wonder what Jesus would think about the contemporary church and the way it does the Kingdom work.  There are no money changers making profits in the building, but then again with the servant style wages long since gone, He might pause beside the clergy table and ask a question or two about the motives of the heart.  And, as He walks by the homeless on the street to get to some of our multi million dollar sanctuaries, He might ask a question or two about our eagerness to feed the hungry, our willingness to quench the thirst of the parched throats,  our interest in clothing those in someone's thrown away rags, or our desire to spend time with the unknown strangers who might be sick, or even in jail.    

It is possible as He sees those things that the same anger which was stirred that day in Jerusalem might be stirred again.  Back then what went on in the Temple often happened under the facade of providing for the needs of those who came when in reality the needs of those who came were not as important as those who were benefiting from their coming.  Instead of turning over tables of  money and sacificial animals, He might push over a few pulpits from which a compromised Word is preached, or rip out a few pews inhabited by the self righteous.  Anyone who thinks He would walk in and applaud all that is happening lives in a world of illusion.    

There are many things which plague our contemporary church as being problematic and chief among them is the way the physical is valued, power is exploited for gain, and the bigger is better approach is always chosen which is mostly ego driven.  It is painful to write such words about a church I have loved and served for a life time, but it is also something which gave me a front row seat not only for seeing, but also regretfully, for being a part of it.